Donaldson, Vincent John Mervyn
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Vincent John Mervyn |
Surname | Donaldson |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 09-01-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert and Alfreda Anna Donaldson (née Oates), of Shaftesbury Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | ED319 |
Markings | DX-H |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 79. |
Epitaph | GREATER LOVE THAN THIS NO MAN HATH, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 29 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 574813 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 57 |
Trade | Flight Engineer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Sculptures, Inscribed Memeorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who gave their lives with 57 and 630 Squadrons 1939 - 1945 |
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stenciled 57 Sqn RoH in site Chapel |
Memorial Text | In proud memory of the men of No. 57 Squadron who lost their lives operating from Royal Air Force East Kirkby 1943 to 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Born June 1922, Woodbridge, Suffolk. His father was a serving Warrant officer in the RAF. In 1939 he and Alfreda were living in Warrant Officer Married Quarters, Carr Road, Felixstowe, His father died on 31 October 1950. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/538/24 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/538/23 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 09-01-1943 |
End Date | 10-01-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Scampton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (17% moon) |
Operation | Essen |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night fighter flown by Lt. Erich Richter of 2./NJG1 over Holland, crashing at 2002 hrs at Geverscop near Haarzuilens, 12km NW of Utrecht. Richter was killed in action on 17/18 January 1943 when he baled out of his Me110 10 kms south of Houten, France. He died through lack of oxygen. |